To be clear, I have absolutely no complaints about the care I have been receiving through the VA.
During my regular checkup at the VA last January I brought attention to a small bump on the side of my nose that just didn't want to heal properly for several months. I was quickly scheduled for follow up and within a few days was seen by a local clinic for macro photos to be sent to the Dermatology Clinic near the main Atlanta VA hospital. Within a week I was contacted again to schedule a biopsy in late March.
I scheduled it for the end of March but ended up rescheduling for late May as I was set for a month of Scuba Diving on the island of Bonaire until mid May. Never having had a biopsy, I didn't know if it would be an issue with my trip or not. (It wouldn't have been).
It really didn't matter because Covid happened. The VA went into shutdown mode as did almost all elective surgeries in the known universe and my appointment was cancelled. I did get a video appointment with the Dermatology Clinic in May and again in September before I got a bit huffy with them. The Video appointments were apparently to ensure no tumors were growing to engulf my face of something. They quickly arranged an appointment for a biopsy three days after my last Video appointment and while I was busy enjoying the nose full of needles, had them also biopsy the tip of my nose which always seems red and a bit scaly to me.
I was called the next week with results and both areas were positive for Basal Cell which they told me during the biopsy was most likely. But they, like my MOHS surgeon, were quick to point out, if you are going to get a cancer it's the best kind to get. Anyway, they set up a referral for a local Dermatology surgeon near my home to do the MOHS procedure and to wait up to 4 weeks to hear from them. After 5 weeks I called to see what the issue was only to find no referral had been completed. So now it is early November and they start again on the referral. Two weeks later I get a call from the local Dermatology clinic and get a date for the procedure which was last Friday, Dec 4.
Great people, wonderful doctor at the local Dermatology center. They decided to only do one area at a time so the side of the nose was completed and as an added bonus, a patch of skin was taken from inside my ear to use as a graft on my nose. Goody, two wounds to deal with. They told me the other spot on the tip of my nose would need a graft also and it would be too much reconstruction for one session so I would be happier letting the first area heal a bit before continuing. I do see their point now. At least I didn't need to get an additional referral from the VA for the second visit.
Phase two scheduled for early Monday, Dec 28. I chalk all the delays up to me and my scuba fetish and Covid throwing the healthcare system into turmoil for most of the year. The other positive is the bandages on my nose from the biopsy and subsequent surgery have been covered by the use of a mask in public. Truly a win, win.
During my regular checkup at the VA last January I brought attention to a small bump on the side of my nose that just didn't want to heal properly for several months. I was quickly scheduled for follow up and within a few days was seen by a local clinic for macro photos to be sent to the Dermatology Clinic near the main Atlanta VA hospital. Within a week I was contacted again to schedule a biopsy in late March.
I scheduled it for the end of March but ended up rescheduling for late May as I was set for a month of Scuba Diving on the island of Bonaire until mid May. Never having had a biopsy, I didn't know if it would be an issue with my trip or not. (It wouldn't have been).
It really didn't matter because Covid happened. The VA went into shutdown mode as did almost all elective surgeries in the known universe and my appointment was cancelled. I did get a video appointment with the Dermatology Clinic in May and again in September before I got a bit huffy with them. The Video appointments were apparently to ensure no tumors were growing to engulf my face of something. They quickly arranged an appointment for a biopsy three days after my last Video appointment and while I was busy enjoying the nose full of needles, had them also biopsy the tip of my nose which always seems red and a bit scaly to me.
I was called the next week with results and both areas were positive for Basal Cell which they told me during the biopsy was most likely. But they, like my MOHS surgeon, were quick to point out, if you are going to get a cancer it's the best kind to get. Anyway, they set up a referral for a local Dermatology surgeon near my home to do the MOHS procedure and to wait up to 4 weeks to hear from them. After 5 weeks I called to see what the issue was only to find no referral had been completed. So now it is early November and they start again on the referral. Two weeks later I get a call from the local Dermatology clinic and get a date for the procedure which was last Friday, Dec 4.
Great people, wonderful doctor at the local Dermatology center. They decided to only do one area at a time so the side of the nose was completed and as an added bonus, a patch of skin was taken from inside my ear to use as a graft on my nose. Goody, two wounds to deal with. They told me the other spot on the tip of my nose would need a graft also and it would be too much reconstruction for one session so I would be happier letting the first area heal a bit before continuing. I do see their point now. At least I didn't need to get an additional referral from the VA for the second visit.
Phase two scheduled for early Monday, Dec 28. I chalk all the delays up to me and my scuba fetish and Covid throwing the healthcare system into turmoil for most of the year. The other positive is the bandages on my nose from the biopsy and subsequent surgery have been covered by the use of a mask in public. Truly a win, win.
